West Indies seek legends’ help after Australia debacle

Getty Images
  • 342 Comments

West Indies will seek the advice of legendary former players Sir Viv Richards, Sir Clive Lloyd and Brian Lara following the Test side’s crushing defeat by Australia.

They were bowled out for just 27 – the second-lowest score in Test history, and the worst since 1955 – as they lost the third Test in Jamaica to succumb to a series clean sweep.

In response, Cricket West Indies president Dr Kishore Shallow has called for an emergency meeting to review the series and the final match in particular.

Given the side’s ongoing struggles with the bat, Richards, Lloyd and Lara – “our greatest batsmen ever” according to Dr Shallow – have been invited to attend the meeting.

They will join fellow West Indies batting greats Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Desmond Haynes, and former fast bowler Ian Bradshaw, who already serve on the cricket strategy and officiating committee.

“This engagement is not ceremonial,” a statement from Dr Shallow read. “These are men who helped define our golden eras, and their perspectives will be invaluable as we shape the next phase of our cricket development.

Shallow insisted the team is in “a rebuilding phase” and investment is being made to reignite the “spirit that has long made West Indies cricket a force in the world”.

He added: “Progress is rarely straightforward. It takes time, perseverance and belief, especially in our most difficult moments.

‘An accident waiting to happen’

Australia celebrate after Mitchell Starc bowls Jaylen Seales in third Test in JamaicaGetty Images

West Indies have been battling with “systemic issues” for 25 years that have left them with players “ill-equipped” to deal with the challenges they faced against Australia, according to Trinidadian commentator Fazeer Mohammed.

“It was almost the perfect storm,” he told BBC Sport.

“You’ve got Mitchell Starc, a world class bowler, deadly in any sort of situation and even deadlier with the pink ball, coming up against players really ill-equipped to deal with those sorts of challenges.

“Everything was set up for something like this to happen. You never really factor in 27 all out but, in the general context of West Indies cricket, this was an accident waiting to happen.”

While Lara has been drafted in to help find a solution to the problems facing the current side, Mohammed believes the iconic left-hander’s heroics were part of the reason a lot of the issues were masked for so long.

“What lies behind it is the failure to address the fundamental challenges in our domestic game – in our regional game,” he added.

“We have many different challenges. Fundamental to those would be costs because we have many different territories – it’s very costly to travel around the Caribbean, to host tournaments.

“There’s an air of resignation about it. People will this morning be arguing amongst themselves and debating about how this can happen, who needs to be fired, who needs to be dropped, who needs to be got rid of.

“It’s the same sort of knee-jerk reaction and then they’ll shrug their shoulders and say ‘well this is how it is now’.”

It is almost two and a half years since West Indies last won a Test series – 1-0 in Zimbabwe – and three years since their last home series victory, 2-0 against Bangladesh.

“I don’t think all is lost by any stretch of the imagination,” Mohammed said.

“It requires at a very fundamental level at the schools, at the under-19, under-23 levels a serious financial investment in growing the quality of the game – male and female.

Related topics

  • West Indies
  • Cricket

Windies seek legends’ help after Australia debacle

Getty Images
  • 20 Comments

West Indies will seek the advice of legendary former players Sir Viv Richards, Sir Clive Lloyd and Brian Lara following the Test side’s crushing defeat by Australia.

They were bowled out for just 27 – the second-lowest score in Test history, and the worst since 1955 – as they lost the third Test in Jamaica to succumb to a series clean sweep.

In response, Cricket West Indies president Dr Kishore Shallow has called for an emergency meeting to review the series and the final match in particular.

Given the side’s ongoing struggles with the bat, Richards, Lloyd and Lara – “our greatest batsmen ever” according to Dr Shallow – have been invited to attend the meeting.

They will join fellow West Indies batting greats Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Desmond Haynes, and former fast bowler Ian Bradshaw, who already serve on the cricket strategy and officiating committee.

“This engagement is not ceremonial,” a statement from Dr Shallow read. “These are men who helped define our golden eras, and their perspectives will be invaluable as we shape the next phase of our cricket development.

Shallow insisted the team is in “a rebuilding phase” and investment is being made to reignite the “spirit that has long made West Indies cricket a force in the world”.

He added: “Progress is rarely straightforward. It takes time, perseverance and belief, especially in our most difficult moments.

‘An accident waiting to happen’

Australia celebrate after Mitchell Starc bowls Jaylen Seales in third Test in JamaicaGetty Images

West Indies have been battling with “systemic issues” for 25 years that have left them with players “ill-equipped” to deal with the challenges they faced against Australia, according to Trinidadian commentator Fazeer Mohammed.

“It was almost the perfect storm,” he told BBC Sport.

“You’ve got Mitchell Starc, a world class bowler, deadly in any sort of situation and even deadlier with the pink ball, coming up against players really ill-equipped to deal with those sorts of challenges.

“Everything was set up for something like this to happen. You never really factor in 27 all out but, in the general context of West Indies cricket, this was an accident waiting to happen.”

While Lara has been drafted in to help find a solution to the problems facing the current side, Mohammed believes the iconic left-hander’s heroics were part of the reason a lot of the issues were masked for so long.

“What lies behind it is the failure to address the fundamental challenges in our domestic game – in our regional game,” he added.

“We have many different challenges. Fundamental to those would be costs because we have many different territories – it’s very costly to travel around the Caribbean, to host tournaments.

“There’s an air of resignation about it. People will this morning be arguing amongst themselves and debating about how this can happen, who needs to be fired, who needs to be dropped, who needs to be got rid of.

“It’s the same sort of knee-jerk reaction and then they’ll shrug their shoulders and say ‘well this is how it is now’.”

It is almost two and a half years since West Indies last won a Test series – 1-0 in Zimbabwe – and three years since their last home series victory, 2-0 against Bangladesh.

“I don’t think all is lost by any stretch of the imagination,” Mohammed said.

“It requires at a very fundamental level at the schools, at the under-19, under-23 levels a serious financial investment in growing the quality of the game – male and female.

Related topics

  • West Indies
  • Cricket

Stacey Dooley announces huge milestone with partner Kevin Clifton after seven years

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton – who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 – are set to reunite on stage for the first time since they were paired up in the ballroom

Stacey Dooley announces huge milestone with partner Kevin Clifton after seven years(Image: Kevin Clifton Instagram)

Kevin Clifton has delighted fans with news of a significant ‘first’ with Stacey Dooley, seven years on from their triumphant Strictly Come Dancing victory.

The loved-up pair have enjoyed a blissful life together since they partnered up and clinched the win on the popular BBC One dance show in 2018.

Documentary presenter Stacey, 38, and professional dancer Kevin, 42, found love on the dance floor and after securing the Glitterball trophy, they made their relationship public. Their romance has since blossomed, leading to the birth of their daughter, Minnie.

Now, for the first time since their Strictly triumph, they are preparing to collaborate professionally once again. Stacey and Kevin revealed in March that they’ll be sharing the stage in the critically acclaimed, smash hit supernatural thriller 2:22 – A Ghost Story.

The play is set to embark on another extensive tour across the UK, kicking off at Manchester Opera House on 4 August 2025, and running until November 2025.

Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley
Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley fell for one another back in 2018(Image: Kevin Clifton Instagram)

A second leg of the tour is scheduled from 8 January to 20 June 2026, with casting details yet to be announced.

BBC favourite Stacey will reprise her role as Jenny, which she played during a limited run at the Gielgud Theatre in 2024. She’ll perform alongside her partner Kevin, who will portray Jenny’s husband, Sam.

With just weeks remaining until the tour commences in Manchester, Kevin and Stacey have been spotted heading into rehearsals. Taking to Instagram with a snapshot of the duo, ex-Strictly star Kevin Clifton shared: “Day 1 back working with this little fella again. Last time was 7 years ago @sjdooley @222aghoststory.”

The couple are working together on 2:22 A Ghost Story
The couple are working together on 2:22 A Ghost Story(Image: DAILY EXPRESS)

Their fans couldn’t hold back their thrill, as one exclaimed: “Can’t wait to watch you both in it, coming to Manchester next month.” Likewise, another enthused: “Can’t wait to see you both in it.”

Another fan shared their anticipation, saying: “Coming to see you in Bristol and am more than excited!” while another echoed similar sentiments: “Looking forward to seeing you in August in Manchester.”

This follows Kevin discussing the dynamic of working closely with his partner in real life. Although Stacey, at 38, is adept at shaking off her stage personas like Jenny once she’s off-duty, Kevin immerses himself fully into his roles and humorously speculates that bringing his character Sam home might spell trouble for their romance.

During his conversation on the latest All That Chat podcast episode, Kevin revealed: “We’re not a very argumentative couple – touch wood – we don’t argue a lot.”

Kevin Clifton shares major 'first' with Stacey Dooley 7 years after Strictly Come Dancing
Stacey and Kevin are back working together once again(Image: Kevin Clifton Instagram)

He further remarked: “I’m sure it’ll be fine. But also, Stace and me are very different in that Stace can very much go do her job, do it great, and then leave it at the door and come home.”

Kevin continued, underlining his more intense approach: “Whereas I’m a bit obsessive and I have to live and breathe the character. I’ll probably bring the character home, which might get interesting. It could be the ending of us.”

Kevin voiced hesitations about performing alongside Stacey in a theatrical setting. He said: “When it’s your partner in front of you who knows everything about you and all your insecurities and then you start playing this character in front of them … it’s going to be weird. I’m going to have to get over doing it in front of Stace, and she’s going to have to get over doing it in front of me.”

Article continues below

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

READ MORE: Maura Higgins swears by this Sol de Janeiro body oil for her glowy holiday skin

MSF says 3 of its workers were ‘intentionally’ killed in Ethiopia’s Tigray

Doctors Without Borders says three of its staff were “intentionally” killed in 2021 during the fierce fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

The organisation, known by its French initials MSF, on Tuesday published the findings of its internal review into the killings of Maria Hernandez, a Spanish national, and Ethiopians Yohannes Halefom Reda and Tedros Gebremariam Gebremichael.

The northern region of Tigray erupted in a brutal civil war against the federal government from 2020 and 2022 that killed some 600,000 people.

The conflict prompted a humanitarian disaster, leaving a million displaced, and a fragile peace deal has caused simmering resentment.

MSF accused the Ethiopian government of failing to “fulfil its moral obligations” to conclude investigations. “The review confirmed that the attack was an intentional and targeted killing of three clearly identified aid workers,” says its statement.

Hernandez was one of MSF’s emergency coordinators in Tigray, while Reda and Gebremichael were a coordination assistant and driver for the NGO. All three employees of MSF-Spain were shot dead on June 24, 2021, in southern Tigray.

The NGO said they and their vehicle were all clearly identified. According to the medical charity, a convoy of Ethiopian soldiers was present at the time of the attack.

MSF said despite numerous follow-ups with the federal authorities in Addis Ababa, they had not received “any credible answers” and the government had “failed to fulfil its moral obligations to conclude an investigation into the attack”.

“This was not the result of crossfire, nor was it a tragic mistake. Our colleagues were killed in what can only be described as a deliberate attack,” said Paula Gil, president of MSF-Spain.

The report follows from an international investigation in 2022 when the NGO said the three aid workers had been killed “intentionally,” without providing further details.

The New York Times newspaper claimed in a 2022 investigation that an Ethiopian army officer had given the order to kill the three aid workers.

But Raquel Ayora, director-general of MSF-Spain, said on Tuesday, “We cannot confirm that or go that far.”

The report’s findings were presented to authorities, who did not respond, the NGO said. Ethiopian authorities refused to meet the president of MSF-Spain to discuss the MSF investigation into the killings.

The 2020-2022 war pitted federal forces, supported by local militias and the Eritrean army, against Tigrayan rebels. All of the warring parties have been accused of war crimes.

However, an NGO called The Sentry said in June that, while all sides perpetrated war crimes, the nature of the atrocities committed by the Eritrean army was “unmatched in scale and premeditation”.

PHOTOS: Buhari’s Body Arrives In Katsina From London

The remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari arrived in Nigeria from London, where he died on Sunday. 

The body of the former president, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and some family members of the late former president, landed at the airport runway at about 1:59 pm.

President Bola Tinubu and some members of Buhari’s family were on the ground to receive the remains.

The body was, thereafter, taken to Daura, the ex-president’s hometown, where he will be buried.

See photos below:

Thousands of Afghans brought to UK under secret programme after data leak

The United Kingdom set up a secret plan to resettle thousands of Afghan people in Britain after an official accidentally disclosed the personal details of more than 33,000 people, putting them at risk of reprisals from the Taliban, court documents showed.

A judge at London’s High Court said in a May 2024 judgement made public on Tuesday that about 20,000 people may have to be offered relocation to Britain, a move that would likely cost “several billion pounds”.

Britain’s current Defence Minister John Healey told Parliament that around 4,500 affected people “are in Britain or in transit … at a cost of around 400 million pounds [$540m]” under the programme known as the Afghan Response Route.

The government is also facing lawsuits from those affected by the data breach.

A Ministry of Defence-commissioned review of the data breach, a summary of which was also published on Tuesday, said more than 16,000 people affected by it had been relocated to the UK as of May this year.

The breach revealed the names of Afghans who had helped British forces in Afghanistan before they withdrew from the country in chaotic circumstances in 2021.

The details emerged after a legal ruling known as a superinjunction was lifted. The injunction had been granted in 2023 after the Ministry of Defence argued that a public disclosure of the breach could put people at risk of extra-judicial killing or serious violence by the Taliban.

The data set contained personal information of nearly 19,000 Afghans who had applied to be relocated to Britain and their families.

It was released in error in early 2022, before the Defence Ministry spotted the breach in August 2023, when part of the data set was published on Facebook.

The former Conservative government obtained the injunction the following month.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s centre-left government, which was elected last July, launched a review into the injunction, the breach and the relocation scheme, which found that although Afghanistan remains dangerous, there was little evidence of intent by the Taliban to conduct a campaign of retribution.

Healey said the Afghan Response Route has now been closed and apologised for the data breach, which “should never have happened”.

About 36,000 more Afghans have been relocated to the UK under other resettlement routes.

British troops were sent to Afghanistan as part of a deployment of the United States-led so-called “War on Terror” against al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US.